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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Given what he said about Ned Lamont's primary victory, nothing would surprise me. According to the AP:

Candidates for public office in Pennsylvania no longer have to sign a McCarthy-era loyalty oath pledging that they are not "subversive." The requirement was unconstitutional, Atty. Gen. Tom Corbett has told election officials.

... The change was ordered after John Staggs refused to sign the oath when he turned in nominating petitions this year and then threatened to sue the state.

"I believe their definition of 'subversive' can really apply to anyone," said Staggs, 59, a Socialist Workers Party member seeking a state House seat. "They want to be able to pick and choose, so they can use it versus people who are challenging the status quo."

... The 1951 law describes as subversive anyone who advocates or participates in "any act intended to overthrow, destroy [or] alter" the government.